99 C280 Tranny Questions..Need Answers.. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

parlay619 · #1 07-27-2008, 11:13 AM

Hell everybody. I have a 99 C280 that may have a transmission problem. First off, when I intially turn the car on, there is a popping noise of some sort (it may not be relevant to the problem). Then I shift into drive and push gas, nothing happens except for a revving engine. It also happens in REverse. Now when I rev the engine harder, about to 4000 RPMS, whether in reverse or drive, it seems to pop into gear and go as if i was stalling on a standard transmission. MErcedes told me it could be a body valve replacement. Others, say it might just be transmission fluid. How can I go about finding which is true.. how can I check the transmission fluid on the car cause I cant seem to find the dipstick for it. ANy suggestions and advice would help..Thanks

Ethan · #2 07-27-2008, 11:29 AM

If you go to the RESOURCE tab at the top of this page then go to the DIY section there is a pictorial and explanation on trans fluid level for your transmission.

At a dealership the first thing they would do is connect into the computer and I think it not only checks for codes but can determine how the unit is functioning.

All you can do is check fluid pressure, check battery charge, and check the transmission mount and flex disc to make sure it's not an alignment issue.

TMAllison · #3 07-27-2008, 12:23 PM

Did the dealer scan it for codes or look at the adaptation values?

If so, they ought to have been able to tell you what was wrong.

The dip stick is a tool. The dimensions of the end of it have been posted previously so that you could make your own. Make certain it is CLEAN and that you get a new lock for the cap or it WILL vibrate off.

parlay619 · #4 07-27-2008, 04:13 PM

Sorry Guys, Im a newbie here, and really know nothing about cars. A lot of my friends do but not european ones. They're tuner guys..newayz.. I have searched and searched for an answer.. but still a little confused.. As i've seen so far, my car (99 C280) has a 722.6 Tranny right(still confused whether or not it does)? Here's my situation..one day I was driving my car to the hospital to see a friend. I had to park very far because there was no parking in the front. I decided to move my car to the front parking lot..thats when the problem started. AS I was driving I noticed a weird sound, like a tool hitting the bottom of the car. When I stopped..it just died on me. Turned it back on and nothing happend. Then When I left again, I turned on my car and it made like a popping noise, as if it were gonna explode.. I drove around the parking lot and it would make some sort of clunking noise. I knew something was wrong with it because I sounded a lot diffrent than normal. It did drive well to my friends house. But when I left my friends house.. I put it on drive and nothing but revving. I tried again but this time in reverse.. same thing... I put it back on drive and when I pushed the gas harder.. about 3000-4000 RPMS, it seem to grab gear and stall like if it was standard. I havent tried to drive it on all gears and test it. Is there any test I can do to figure out before bringing it to a mechanic.. I called mercedes and they said it sounded like a valve body replacement.. but I would like to check the fluid.. but before I do that.. should I test it on ALL gears first before doing anything?? Let me know.. thanks

Metafly · #5 07-27-2008, 09:24 PM

I just went through something similar. For me, it was an out of spec B2 Band. My reaction valve thrust pin came out (YMMV). Are you able to drop and inspect your transmission pan? Feel free to PM me with any questions. Michael

mbdoc · #6 07-28-2008, 08:15 AM

Since that is a completely "band-less" electronic transmission, you need to have codes read from the trans computer.

Also to check the fluid level you need to make OR but a special dipstick as that trans doesn't have one.

Metafly · #7 07-28-2008, 10:44 AM

Thanks Doc. My bad. Michael

cgshawaii · #8 07-28-2008, 10:21 PM

Parlay, some of us might think that if the car doesn't move, in gear, then revving it to four grand "waiting for something to happen" is a good way to utterly and completely fry the trans or go to grenade mode.

Simply revving it will, in racer-speak will cure the problem thus: either nothing's wrong, or it will utterly fail, leaving you stranded. Depending on your economic status, this may or may not be significant.

For me, if there's a "bad" noise, the logical thing to do is to pull over and have a look. It could be a lot of things varying from nothing to, say, you only ran over your neighbor's child. But for chrissake, stop and look first.

parlay619 · #9 07-29-2008, 05:14 PM

thanks.. i know.. i havent touched it since.. would one of those computers from autozone be good enough to diagnose the situation?? or MUST i go to MB Dealer??

parlay619 · #10 07-29-2008, 05:29 PM

ok.. facts that i forgot to add.. it had a tranny service at 90,000 miles.. or so i was told... it is now at 160,000.. should i have had a tranny service in between??

TMAllison · #11 07-29-2008, 05:59 PM

More service is always better than less.

It needs to be scanned by a high end scanner such as MB's SDS or a few others. A hand held OBDII scanner will read engine codes but not the trans module.

The adaptation values (how your trans has attempted to adjust itself recently) is also valuable data as is the tech's knowledge interperting that data. Sometimes the dealer is your best bet.

parlay619 · #12 07-30-2008, 01:13 AM

where can i get a reliable used tranny for cheap.. anyway to exchange my old, busted tranny, to get an even cheaper price??

Ethan · #13 07-30-2008, 08:50 AM

I would first contact the Mercedes Benz dealersip, they warranty the trans for a few years as I recall.
As far as price try to negotiate, since the economy has turned I've noticed a big difference in the attitude and quality of work at my local MB dealerships - they're fighting for business and the work seems quite good lately.

I know they'll be pricey, but it it a good starting off point for price.

Also list your location, there are some techs on this forum who have shops and that would be a start.